Work, Play and Worship

These last few days have been full of lots of activity.  We finished off working on the school property Saturday by moving loads and loads of sand and rocks to be used for the final beams and floor.  There is still some work to be done on the building but the tough part is finished.  The workers in Shandia are all set to make some significant progress next week.  We are all excited to see the school open by summer or sooner!  Saturday afternoon we were able to visit Jim Elliot's home.  A gentleman who lived in Shandia during Elliot's day gave us a tour and shared stories of his life with us.  What a great experience.  From there we headed to the beach to prepare a bonfire, swim in the river, and play with some of the community children.  That evening we were able to have a bonfire down by the river with the youth group.  We sang worship songs in English, Spanish and Quichua.  Finally we treated the youth to s'mores.  They had never had  s'mores and absolutely LOVED them.  We couldn't get those marshmallows toasted fast enough!  Sunday we all attended church together.  Again, we worshiped in Spanish and Quichua.  Alisa and Tim shared their testimonies and Pastor Dan preached.  What a joy to go to church and hear singing and preaching in 3 languages!  A few of us led Sunday school with the kiddos.  After church services part of our team took the kids out for some play time together.  Gina and I (Rachel) had an amazing opportunity to interview two older members of the community who lived in Shandia when Jim Elliot was there.  They shared about how they came to know Christ as a result of God working through Elliot and several other missionaries.  One woman, Carmela, shared through tears about the day the community learned of Jim Elliot's death.  She also wept over the youth of her community and her deep desire to have them walk closely with Jesus. It was a beautiful time and I am so thankful for the experience.  

The girls moving sand and rocks.  Even little Lucy got a work out!

Brianna playing soccer with the kids at the beach

Ronal, one of the kids in the community, came down to the beach with us to make sand castles

The Wedding!

Today was an awesome day!  We attended a wedding of a dear friend.  Here's the backstory:  Several years ago a team from Parkway was working at a church in a community in the jungle called El Capricho.  The pastor's son (named Higineo) and Karl worked side by side in a construction project.  Despite some major cultural differences and a total language barrier the two became fast friends.  At the end of our time in Capricho Karl asked if Jake could translate a conversation.  Karl really felt like the Lord wanted him to gently and lovingly challenge his hermano (brother) in Christ.  He basically challenged Higineo to step up and take care of his kids and girlfriend; encouraging him to be a leader and marry his girlfriend.  It was a really meaningful conversation with tears, but well received.  Higineo later told Pastor Juan Carlos that when Karl returned he would get married.  Fast forward 4 years.  Pastor Juan Carlos told Higineo that Hermano Karlitos would be visiting... and today we celebrated the wedding of Higineo and Gicela.  It was a simple civil service with a judge in town with a formal church wedding to follow later this year.  Gina and I (Rachel) bought some flowers for the bride and I was able to snap a few photos of the ceremony.  After the ceremony Higineo and Gicela invited us out to dinner.  We had a wonderful time visiting with them...thank you Gina for translating!  The two invited us back for the formal wedding in December and asked if we would serve as padrinos in the wedding.  (Kind of like attendants)  The wedding will be a  somewhat traditional jungle wedding and they told Karl he would have to wear a loin cloth and carry a spear.  That was a joke but there will be some traditional dress with painting on the face and body.  We (Wurzbach Family) are planning on returning at the end of December for Christmas/New Years with our sister-in-law's family.  Higineo and Gicela told us to let them know the dates we will be in Ecuador so they could set a date for their church wedding.  We felt very honored!  Today reminded me of how wonderful our God is.  Despite language barriers and cultural differences He creates friendships based on the one thing we have in common...a relationship with Christ. 

Jumprope, Machetes and Sunburns

Today we worked on the foundation of the school.  We hauled rocks and moved sand as cement was being mixed and poured.  Tomorrow we hope to finish the foundation and start on the walls.  Very exciting to see this happen! The kids were troopers. They moved buckets and wheelbarrows full of rocks and sand with the rest of us. The sun was very strong and there are a few sunburned gringos but everyone is healthy and happy.  In the afternoon we played with the kiddos of the community and broke out the jump ropes.  They loved it!  Highlight for Daniel: Getting his machete and had some fun chopping his way through the jungle. 

Here's a picture of our team after breakfast at Paulina's house.  PCC Leaven director, Paulina Polk, is from Quito and her mom graciously hosted us all for a wonderful breakfast.  Paulina's mom, aunt and brother also are in this picture.  What an amazing family!  We were so blessed by their hospitality.  We also were able to skype with Paulina (and Janelle, Tim's wife) and pray together for our time, all via skype.  Great start to the trip.  Tomorrow...the jungle!!!

Today the team went down to colonial Quito.  You really get a feel for the people, the culture and the history of the city traveling down to this area of town. One of our stops was a beautiful cathedral; the Basilica.  The church is gorgeous but has parts that are not finished.  One section allows you to climb very steep stairs to the top and overlook the city.  Here is Dan and Daniel making the trek down.

Gearing Up for Ecuador

On February 13th a Parkway Community Church team of 9 will be heading to Ecuador. We will have the great opportunity to be working in Shandia, a small village on the edge of the Amazon jungle.  Here we will be working on the property that Parkway has helped purchase.  We are partnering with the community to help construct a building that will be used as a school site and training center for those looking for Biblical education. Shandia will serve as a place where those believers living in la oriente (jungle region) can come, refresh, receive training and head back to their communities to share the Gospel with their people.  The PCC team will be getting the property ready by clearing land, laying foundation and starting the actual construction of the first building.  Our afternoons will be filled with fun activities for the children of Shandia, along with Bible lessons. We will also have the opportunity to participate in their youth night and Sunday services. Please pray for safety, relationships with the people of Shandia to continue to grow and for God's name to be glorified.  Check back in for photos and posts during the trip.  
-Rachel, for Karl, Tatum, Hailey, Dan, Alisa, Brianna, Daniel and Tim

What Does our Garbage have to do with Ecuador?

On our first trip to Ecuador our team was introduced to a ministry site at the Quito city dump.  Here people would rummage through the garbage for recyclable items to collect and sell for money.  You need to realize that plumbing issues are such that toilet paper cannot be flushed and is, therefore,  placed in the trash...eventually ending up at the dump.  As you may have guessed, digging through the dump in Quito is not the most glamourous job. Since then, our girls have saved our cans and bottles, taking them to the recycling center every few months and set aside the money they receive for the families working in the Quito dump.  On this trip we are able to bring $92.  Not a lot of money here, but it goes a long way in Quito.  Doing this has been a great reminder to be thankful and also an opportunity to give back to others.  Would you consider saving your recycling money for a cause such as this?
-Rachel, for Tatum and Hailey Wurzbach


Although ministry at the city dump is not the focus of our current trip, we are excited to be a part of it in a small way.  For ways you be a part of giving and serving in Quito visit the Extreme Response website.


Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Luggage, Luggage and more Luggage

And more to come.  Yep, we are bringing the max amount of luggage allowed.  Not only do we have our own travel necessities but we are bringing things for two of our PCC missionaries who now live in Quito.  When they headed south many of their personal items were left behind because of shipping restrictions.  In this stack of suitcases you'll find 3 kitchen aid mixers!  Long story, but there will be some very happy bakers in Quito as of this weekend.  :)